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Category: Volume 07 Issue 07 July 2019
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Title: Prevalence of substance abuse among students of SMS Medical College Jaipur, Rajasthan

Authors: Nikita Sharma, Kusum Gaur, Rekha Shekawat, Suresh Kewalramani

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i7.141

Abstract

Background: Globally, there are 2 billion alcohol users, 1.3 billion smokers and 185 million are drug users. These are accounting for 12.4% of all deaths worldwide. The doctors are vulnerable to substance abuse due to their ready accessibility to the substance of abuse. Medical training is identified as full of stress and it is also observed that students undergo tremendous stress during various years of medical training and post graduation.. Repeated use of alcohol and tobacco can effect judgment of actions. This could be disastrous if substance abusers are medical professionals who have direct dealing with human lives.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at SMS medical college in Jaipur city, capital of Rajasthan. A pre designed structured questionnaire was used to interview 809 medical students who were willing to participate.

Results: Prevalence of smoking in MBBS students was found to be 15.2%. The prevalence of alcohol consumption was found to be 20.3% .It was observed that smoking and alcohol intake was more common in post graduate students (28.6%  & 48.1% respectively) followed by interns .

Conclusions: Prevalence of substance abuse among medical college students was high. Students preferred alcohol products and tobacco most. Hosteller students are more likely to be exposed to substance abuse.

Keywords: Medical students, Prevalence, Substance abuse.

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Corresponding Author

Rekha Shekhawat